A/N So this is a story I have worked on for a really long time so I figured I put it up and see how it goes. The last name Fitzgerald was kind of a coincidence. I hope you like it and please review.

Defying Odds

Ezra saw her through the crowd. The train station was bustling with commuters trying to get to their respective homes, but it did not matter he only saw her. Staring at her, it had been ten years and she still looked as beautiful as he remembered. Her long chestnut hair and hazel eyes were unchanged; it was as if it were yesterday that he last saw her. He was not sure if she would remember him. That was a long time ago and things had changed. Just as he was beginning to turn away he heard her voice. "Ezra," she called. "Ezra, wait."

If he had any question of how she still felt it was erased instantly as she ran towards him dodging people in the crowd. As she reached him she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight squeeze. "I can't believe it's you," she whispered into his ear.

"Are you real?" That was all he could manage to whisper back to her trying to catch his breath. As he inhaled her perfume and hair products he was reminded of how much he loved holding her. He was afraid if he let go she would disappear again for another ten years.

"Of course I am," she said releasing her grip slightly, pulling away to look at him. She focused on his blue eyes and ran her fingers through his messy curls. His hands grabbed her face and he leaned in to kiss her. His lips brushing hers slowly remembering how good this felt. Pulling away for a moment she looked into his eyes, "I love you."

"I love you Aria. Ten years in the making and that's all I can say."

"That's all I need to hear," she said leaning towards him, kissing him again.

"Cut! Great job guys, that's all for today." Ezra was snapped out of his day dream by the director. Suddenly he was back on the movie set and when he looked up it was not himself and Aria but two actors. Seeing his book acted out in front of him was interesting and difficult to watch at times. He knew that on the paper he was holding in his hand she called out to 'Rob' and he told 'Kate' that he loved her, but it was his book and his fantasy and would always see himself and Aria in those roles. Being brought back to reality by the director always made him a little sad though, he wanted to stay in the make believe life forever.

It had been ten years since they had last seen each other. He had written this book as a sort of catharsis. He needed to talk about what happened between him and Aria. Traditional therapy was not going to work for him, so his only other option was to write it down. A journal quickly became a short story that spiraled into a novel and now he was here. Since it was his story he ended it with a happy ending. Why not? The past has been written but who knows about the future.

He had no idea that someone would be willing to publish his story. It was like any other romance novel on the market, but apparently it hit a nerve with the audience. It had the great love, the great loss and the great love found again. He was happy to get a load off of his mind, selling a bunch of copies was simply a bonus.

Now sitting on set he asked himself on a daily basis, "Who would have thought they would turn it into a movie?" Even though the actors were good, he never really saw them. He always saw Aria and himself, acting out the words he had written. As he sat there thinking about her he wondered if she had read the book. Maybe she did, but she would not know he wrote it. He used a different name. He also changed some of the details. His journals had his full story; the novel was based off of that. He did not want to hurt any parties involved, especially since he did not know if or how her life had changed.

"So what do you think?" The director asked forcing Ezra back into reality.

"It's great. It's exactly how I pictured it. Plus Molly and Jake are great so that makes it pretty easy to watch," he said chuckling.

"I'm glad you like it. We should have another week or two of filming and then we'll be all set."

"Sounds good to me. These early mornings are killing me."

"Tell me about it. I'll see you tomorrow," he said clapping Ezra on the shoulder as he walked away. That was Ezra's cue that the day on the set was over and he could head to the office. He had heard that directors could be temperamental but this guy wasn't bad and he seemed to listen when Ezra did not like something. The final product will prove just how much say Ezra had in the creative department of the film. Time would tell.

Just as he was heading to his car the phone rang. "Hello."

"Hey buddy, what's going on?" A familiar voice said through the phone. Hardy had been a really good friend to Ezra during the whole situation with Aria and then with the book. Hardy just hoped now it was out of his system and he could move on.

"Hey, not much. Just leaving the set now and heading to the office. How have you been?"

"Good, you know same old same old. How is filming going?"

"It's good but weird. You know seeing your life, well sort of your life, acted out in front of you."

"I bet. Is it stirring up all the old feelings?" Hardy asked trying to gauge how deep Ezra was in again. He knew Ezra had been dating Liz but bringing up Aria again will quickly put an end to that relationship. It always did. Hardy understood that Aria was the love of Ezra's life, but he also thought that after ten years it was time to move on.

"Not too bad, I'm managing." Ezra lied knowing that Hardy would know too. "Plus things with Liz are good so I can focus on that."

"Good. Liz is a great girl. Hey let's do lunch soon?" Hardy did not really have an opinion of Liz either way but he figured making her sound good might make Ezra realize he did have a good thing going with her.

"That would be great. We can set it up for next week."

"Sounds good to me. Talk to you soon." Hardy said hanging up the phone. He felt bad keeping tabs on Ezra but he wanted to make sure he was not wasting away lonely and alone. It had been ten years, it really was time to let go or maybe try to reach out to Aria. "Maybe I'll mention that to him next week. Maybe she has moved on and if they talk he'll have some closure," he said out loud.

Ezra knew that Hardy cared and that was why he checked up on him but he also knew Hardy did not get it. Aria and Ezra's relationship did not just run its course, it ended badly because of Aria's parents and the fact that Ezra was her teacher. Leaving Aria was the right thing to do at the time but just because it was the right thing did not make it easier. He regretted leaving Rosewood immediately after he did and tried to talk to her but she refused to answer him. After a while he figured that she had moved on, but what if she had not. These were the thoughts he tried to limit, dwelling on the past was never good and usually cost him his girlfriend at the time.

Three thousand miles across the country, lying in her bed, Aria closed the book "Defying Odds" by Elizabeth Fitzgerald. A tear was rolling down her cheek and suddenly she knew what she had to do. Elizabeth Fitzgerald had hit a nerve within her sparking emotions she had buried years ago. She could not believe three hundred pages had reminded her of what she lost years ago and gave her hope that all may not be lost.

Even after her parents rejected him; after he decided it was best to leave, give her a chance at a normal life; even after she refused to answer his texts and emails, upset because he didn't stay to fight for her, she still loved him. Aria always had a place in her heart of Ezra and suddenly she was consumed by the fact that everything they had was unfinished. Was there a chance that they could reconnect and live happily ever after?

Obviously over the past ten years she's had her fair share of relationships but none that compared to Ezra. None that she wanted to make permanent. She had tried to move on with some success but it just never felt right. She did not wish that Ezra was home pining over her, she hoped he was happy but part of her hoped that he had not forgotten what they had had. It was very real for her and she still could not let it go.

Aria scoured the internet in search of Elizabeth Fitzgerald, searching for as much information about her as she could find. Her picture showed a pretty blonde in her late twenties or early thirties. The mini-biography stated that the author was from California, loved long walks on the beach and a good book on a Sunday afternoon. Aria wondered why there was so little information about this woman. She understood this was her first book but she must have done more in her life.

For whatever reason, from the moment that Aria read this book she felt that it was based on a true story or from real life experience. She knew that this was a huge assumption. This book could have very easily been a complete work of fiction, but the way the characters were written, Aria felt they must have been based on real people. Aria felt a connection to the author immediately, she felt they had a similar story but was surprised to see there was not mention of a husband or a family. Aria had to continue to remind herself that this book was sold as fiction, which it probably was. She needed to stop thinking that Elizabeth Fitzgerald was writing a story of past experience.

Aria was shocked at how much this book had touched her. She needed to know if the author had a similar experience to hers and if it worked out for her. She decided to write a letter to the author. This was something she had never done before but she wanted to see if she would get a response.

Dear Ms. Fitzgerald,

I found Defying Odds to be a wonderful love story. It touched my heart deeply and made me reminisce about a past love. Our story was very similar to the one that you wrote. Unfortunately the ending was not the same, at least not yet. You have given me hope that one day we will find each other again, because I think you never stop loving your first love. Is this story based on an experience that you have had or is it all fiction? Please let me know, I need to know if you really had a happy ending. Thank you again for writing a beautiful story.

Sincerely,

Aria Montgomery from Rosewood, PA

Hopefully the author actually read her fan mail and did not just have some assistant give a generic response. Aria had not been this hopeful about love in a long time. Of course she knew she was getting ahead of herself because it probably was a work of fiction and the writer would send a generic response saying just keep plugging along, but she had hope.

The phone rang startling her out of her day dream. "Hello," she said.

"Did you finish the book?" Hanna yelled into the phone.

"Yes, I did."

"Was that the best book you have ever read?"

"I know right. Do you think it's based on real life experience?"

"It could be, why?"

"It just really reminded me of Ezra."

"I guess it is kind of like you and Ezra except the happy ending part. Sorry I don't mean to make you feel bad."

"I know what you mean. Want to hear something really lame? I wrote a letter to the author to ask if it was a true story." Aria explained and then she read Hanna the letter.

"Oh Aria, you are such a sap. But that's really romantic. Wait, what about Noel?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well aren't you guys kind of exclusive."

"I hadn't really thought about it. We're having fun but it's not serious," Aria explained. She was a terrible person because she did not even consider his feelings. Noel and Aria had reconnected when she can back to Rosewood to teach. It could be considered a relationship but Aria never really saw it going anywhere. How could it, she did not really love him, but she did not want to be alone either so it was nice to have someone to do things with. Plus he was not a terrible guy.

"I just want to wait and hear from the author, see what she says. Then we'll see. Nothing may ever come from this and I won't have to let Noel know what I'm doing. I mean he could have a completely different life now and I wouldn't want to ruin that."

"That's true. See what she says, she may burst your bubble and say it is all fiction or it may be all true. Who knows?"

"I can't believe how much of a school girl I sound like. We're 27; it's time to grow up a little."

"Yeah but it's exciting that this book has made you interested in love again. It's been a while. Plus, I really think this is your chance at happiness."

"Oh Hanna you say that about every guy. We aren't all as lucky as you to have Caleb."

"Yeah but Aria, Ezra is your guy. You need to pursue this and see what happens. If it isn't meant to be than, it isn't, but you have to try."

"I know. Hey it's late and I have school tomorrow. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye." With that Aria hung up the phone. Hanna was right. She had not been this happy and hopeful in a long time. This was her chance at happiness and Ezra was the guy. He was the only guy she cared about and the only one she wanted to be with. Maybe with a little push from a random author she would go find him and see what could possibly happen.

She put a stamp on her letter grabbed her coat and keys and left her apartment. Just outside the building was the mail box. She looked at the letter one more time and decided to drop it in. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!